Backstage by Mandy Bee (guided reading books TXT) 📕

“Show her!” Justin says and Dave hands him his phone.

Without the use of my hands, Justin has to hold up the phone so I can see it. There is a picture of us in the tabloids again, this picture is from the night we went to the opera. I look great, I shrug and look at them. He scrolls down and there is another picture of me but it is from yesterday, it is of me and Rachael at Tiffany’s. He scrolls down so I can read the headlines. Drummer’s Sister Cashes In On Rich Boyfriend.

“No!” I say trying not to cry. How could they say that? The article goes on to say that I am milking my relationship with Justin for all I can. Thousands of dollars worth of clothes and jewelry, plus getting on ‘mommy’s good side’. I think I’m going to be sick.

“You guys are going to have to fight this, and fast.” Scot says.

“Fight? What do you mean fight?” I look over at Justin. “Has your mom seen this? She knows that’s not what was going on right?”

“She knows that, she was appalled by it. But we are going to have to do some interviews and fast. If this gets out of hand the press can label you a gold digger, and that’s one title that will haunt you for life.”

“GOLD DIGGER?” I scream and everyone jumps “What the hell?” I try to pull my hands away but could only get the one Chris was holding. I try to get up but Justin pins me to the bed, he is laying on top of me!

“Out! All of you, now!” He snaps at them. I watch Chris’s face go blank. He follows the others but never takes his eyes off of me until the door is shut. “Flower stop this!” Justin growls at me.

“Get off of me!” I wiggle trying to free myself.

“NO! Now stop it!” He kisses me softly making me stop. “That’s better, now we need to book a few shows for tomorrow. We need to find a way to tell everyone that what was said was wrong without causing a press nightmare.”

“Justin you bought me that dress, and the jewelry, for the opera. But at Tiffany’s I bought my necklace, not you! I was not trying to get on your mothers good side, well not like how they mean it. But the story is true to a point. You spent money on me, I didn’t ask for it, but it happened. Then I get my picture taken in the most famous jewelry store in the world and everyone thinks you’re fronting the bill.”

“I don’t care to tell them that I bought the dress and stuff for that night, but we need to get ahead of all this. Now The Today show is willing to work us in tomorrow, and so is The View. Also Rolling Stone and People magazine have already called begging for interviews. We could do them tomorrow evening. Do you think you could handle a day of press?” He is still on top of me, he knows I can’t think straight like this.

“Fine, but the boys need to find something to wear other then a t-shirt and jeans.” I flop my head back and close my eyes.

“Sweetie, these interviews are just for us, they won’t need to be there.” He says then starts to kiss my neck.

“Why not?” I say but it comes out almost like a moan.

“Because this is not about the band, it is about us.” He works his way from my neck to behind my ear then back again. “You will need three complete outfits, maybe four even. Do you want me to help you pick something out from what you have with you or do you want to go shopping?”

“You’re joking right?” I hiss at him and start to fight to get free again. “Shopping is what got us into the mess!” I growl at him.

“Then we will pick something from what you already have. Now stop fighting me and let me get back to enjoying you.” He whispers the last part, but I’m not in the mood anymore.

“If you don’t get off me I will scream bloody murder, and once I’m free I’ll kick you so hard in the balls you’ll need another three weeks off to recover!” He releases me but smacks me on the butt when I get out of bed.

I need to talk to Chris, if anything I need his strength and comfort right now. His bedroom door is open, he is just sitting on the bed. It’s like he is waiting for me, knowing I would come find him. As soon as I walk into the room he jumps up and hugs me. I love my brother more then anything in the world and right now I need him to hug me and tell me everything will be okay.

“I can’t believe this is happening.” I tell him as I sit down on the bed.

“What did Justin say?” He asks while standing beside me.

“He said that The Today and The View are willing to work us in tomorrow and two magazines have already called. He wants to do those interviews tomorrow evening. Chris I don’t know what to do, I know I have to do the interviews but how do I explain to the world that I’m not a gold digger?”

“It will all be okay, I promise you.” He kneels down in front of me to look me in the eyes. “Flower I know how much you care for Justin, and everyone can see he cares for you too. But maybe it would be best if you guys don’t go out in public together for a while. Tomorrow you don’t have a choice but maybe while we are over seas you guys could, I don’t know just cool off some, you know until all this settles down.”

“You want us to break